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Greater Bridgeport Chapter |
| Last updated: May 7, 2008 |
Message from the Dean |
| Dean's Message:
Who doesn’t like to commemorate an important anniversary? IBM is commemorating the invention of the transistor, 60 years ago. Sri Lanka and Israel are celebrating their founding in 1948. Across the country, numerous television stations first began broadcasting 60 years ago, including WTNH channel 8 in New Haven. Volkswagen, Ford and even Ferrari are celebrating the 60th anniversary of important car models. For something to last 60 years, it must have some significant, useful and enduring value! 2008 also marks the 60th anniversary year for the Greater Bridgeport Chapter of the AGO. Throughout this time period, our chapter has sponsored important and interesting recitals, events, concerts and has served as an educational resource to churches, our fellow organists, musicians, singers, and the public. Certainly our personal and professional lives would be greatly diminished without the activities and accomplishments that a dedicated group of volunteers have made possible over the years. Yes, a sixty year anniversary is a big milestone. In addition, 2008-09 has also been designated by the American Guild of Organists as the International Year of the Organ. We are planning to participate in the National Organ Spectacular concert with our Pipe Screams program on Oct. 19, 2008. With numerous other chapters planning concerts that day, it is sure to create the world's largest organ concert! I hope that many of you will also plan to attend the AGO National Convention on June 22-26 in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. The conventions are always a fascinating, inspiring and uplifting time. During this anniversary year, I hope that we can plan on focusing and further strengthening our Bridgeport Chapter. Please invite interested friends and fellow musicians to our events. If you know of other organists, please take the time to invite them to membership in our chapter. The pipe organ is a wonderful and fantastic instrument. Let’s do all we can to promote it and help keep its legacy, and the legacy of all those who have dedicated hours to the mission of our chapter, alive and further growing. John Michniewicz Michniewiczj@sacredheart.edu |
Local Events |
| OUR NEXT CHAPTER PROGRAM
Greater Bridgeport AGO Chapter Annual Dinner Meeting and 60th Anniversary Celebration, Monday, June 2nd, 6:00 PM, Nichols United Methodist Church, Trumbull, CT Mark your calendars now for a very special evening starting at 6:00 PM with cheese/crackers, followed by a buffet dinner. The evening’s entertainment starts with a multimedia presentation of our chapter history, some recognition awards and ends with a 40 min organ recital by our 2006 M. Louise Miller Scholarship Fund Winner, Amanda Mole. This is a great opportunity to bring your clergy, music committee members, and friends of the Chapter to enjoy this special evening. The cost is $25 per person and a reservation form and directions to the church are included later in this newsletter. Invitations will be sent to former Chapter Deans, National and Regional AGO leadership to join us for this special celebration. Please return reservations by Saturday, May 24th. For any questions on the planning of this event please contact Carole Fanslow at 203.375.1284. PROGRAM SCHEDULE 2008-2009 (Subject to Change) September 28, 2008 – 4:00 PM– Chapter Guild Service – First Congregational Church of Norwalk on the Green, 3 Lewis Street – Flora Major host – reception. Commissioned SATB work for the 60th Chapter Anniversary by Michael Bedford featured. October 19, 2008 – 4:00 PM – 7th Annual Pipe Screams Concert – United Congregational Church, Bridgeport, John Michniewicz host – reception. Part of the National AGO World’s Largest Organ Concert. January 4, 2009 – 4:00 PM - Annual Epiphany Party – John Polo Home, 25 Plymouth Avenue, Trumbull. Executive Committee to meet at 2:30 PM. March 21 or 28, 2009 (Details being finalized) – Cj Sambach – Organ Informance Presentation/Demonstration – United Congregational Church, Bridgeport, John Michniewicz host – reception; possible repeat Friday for public schools June 8, 2009 – 6:00 PM – Annual Dinner – Music for Small Church Choirs – Bridgeport University Art Gallery – Frank Martignetti per year. Rosanne Homola has faithfully held this position over the past many years and is now our Chapter Sub-Dean and will later be the Dean. For any questions on our 2008-2009 programs please contact Rosanne Homola, rosehomola@charter.net . M. LOUISE MILLER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD FOR 2008/NEW SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR We are pleased again to offer the M. Louise Miller Scholarship Award that was established in 1998 to honor the life and work of Dr. M. Louise Miller, a founding member (1948) of The Greater Bridgeport AGO, and to recognize her great achievements in the fields of church music, organ playing and teaching. The award is available to an undergraduate student pursuing study next autumn in an American college, conservatory or university, leading toward a career in organ performance and church music. The winner, chosen in May 2008, will also be invited to play a recital in Connecticut at a Chapter event. The application process includes writing a short essay and submitting a recording of two standard organ pieces (Bach and Romantic). The ad promoting our Scholarship to candidates will appear in the April 2008 The American Organist national magazine. This is the first time as a chapter that we will be awarding a $2,000 scholarship. In previous years we had awarded $1,000 and the committee decided that given the steep increase in education costs, that we would offer our scholarship on an every other year basis at the increased $2,000 amount. The fund is invested and does continue to grow. We are hopeful that soon the interest from the fund’s principal will allow us to do make this increased awards annual within a few years. A special thank you to the entire chapter for adding to our fund through individual gifts and to the efforts of so many that participate in the annual Pipe Screams Concerts where the net proceeds go directly to the scholarship fund. |
Newsletter |
| The Greater Bridgeport Chapter issues a bi-monthly e-newsletter with printed copies mailed on request.
Send articles and inserts to: Allen W. Fanslow, Editor; The Bridgeport Organist; 31 Bridgeview Place, Stratford, CT 06614-3625 or fanslow@juno.com |
Membership |
| For membership information, please contact Mike Karpilow at mibakarp2@yahoo.com or John Polo at john.polo@charter.net |
Placement |
| For information on available substitutes or current job openings in our area, please contact Carole Fanslow - fanslow@juno.com
Employers and job seekers are invited to post and search listings of available positions on the Guild's National Website. |
Certification |
| For certification information, please contact Paul Knox - pknox@firstchurchfairfield.org |
Contact Us |
| CONTACT US:
Dean - Dr. John T. Michniewicz - michniewiczj@sacredheart.edu Sub-Dean/Program - RoseAnne Homola - rosehomola@charter.net Acting Secretary - RoseAnne Homola - rosehomola@charter.net Treasurer - Michael Karpilow - mibakarp2@yahoo.com Historian & Placement - Carole J. Fanslow - fanslow@juno.com Chaplain - The Rev. Meg Williams - megwillia@gmail.com Scholarship - Alice M. Caldwell - caldwellam@aol.com Newsletter Editor - Dr. Allen Fanslow - fanslow@juno.com Professional Concerns - John Polo - john.polo@charter.net |
Links |
| Chapter Member Dr. Joe Utterback, jazz pianist and composer, recording artist - www.joeutterback.com
Chapter Member Frank Martignetti, choral conductor, educator, vocalist, pianist, organist - www.frankmartignetti.com Chapter Member David Harris, pianist, organist, accompanist - choral groups/silent films, vocalist, recording artist - www.davidharrisproductions.com Winner of the M. Louise Miller Scholarship 2005: www.ScottMontgomeryMusic.net Choristers Guild - www.choristersguild.org PipeDreams Public Radio - www.pipedreams.org The Organ Hour Radio - www.wjmj.org |
| Visit the AGO National website |